Chrissie Hynde

Legendary singer/songwriter Chrissie Hynde is best known as the frontwoman for The Pretenders. Hailing from Ohio, USA she is a lifelong animal rights activist and supporter of organisations including PETA and Viva!

She cut meat out of her diet in 1969, phasing out dairy and eggs later in her life.

“I don’t believe there is any justifiable reason for killing any animal, unless perhaps if it’s killing you… That would be negotiable.”

Not afraid of controversy, Hynde was once arrested for destroying over $1000 worth of leather clothing at a Gap store in New York with other activists in an attempt to expose the illegal Indian leather trade, later resulting in the company dropping their use of Indian leather. During another protest, she smeared blood on the windows of a KFC restaurant in France, which saw her arrested again.

In an interview with the Animal Liberation Front, Hynde claimed she has never had a problem finding good vegan food when she’s touring and that she tries to do whatever she can, whenever she can to help spread the compassionate message. The Pretenders’ song ‘I’ll Stand By You’ has become something of an animal rights anthem.